Tumour forces Wassell out of Scotland WXV 2 squad

Scotland fastener Emma Wassell has been withdrawn from her country's 30-player squad for nan forthcoming WXV 2 tourney aft being diagnosed pinch a tumour successful her thorax that requires surgery.

The 29-year-old, who plays for Loughborough Lightning, has been capped 67 times and has been a captious portion of Bryan Easson's squad for nan past fewer years.

Saracens' Louise McMillan will recreation to Cape Town arsenic her replacement for nan World Rugby competition.

Wassell missed games against England and Italy successful nan Six Nations earlier this twelvemonth aft nan decease of her mother, Pauline, but returned to commencement nan last lucifer against Ireland.

"Unfortunately, rugby has now been put connected clasp for a while arsenic I will get room to region nan tumour, but I will beryllium doing everything I tin to return successful 2025," she told Scottish Rugby.

"To miss different opportunity to beryllium backmost playing successful bluish has been a really reliable 1 to take, particularly aft my year, but that genuinely is simply a testament to nan squad we person built."

Wassell paid tribute to her team-mates for their backing during specified a traumatic period.

"I honestly don't person nan words correct now to picture nan support I've had during this time, but I americium beyond blessed pinch nan unthinkable group I person successful my life," she added.

"Mum near maine successful bully hands and I will everlastingly beryllium grateful to each azygous 1 of you who made judge I ne'er felt unsocial successful immoderate of this."